Although Eastleigh were handed a hugely disputable penalty on Saturday, Macclesfield midfielder Paul Lewis admits he benefited from the rub of the green in sealing victory.

The 19-year-old was in the thick of a war of attrition in the midfield against an Eastleigh side who seemed more concerned with committing fouls than committing to the game.

But when the club’s youth team product headed in the second goal from Paul Turnbull’s exquisite ball in he admits he should have been flagged offside.

“Yeah, I was offside, probably by about a yard,” the Silkmen's youth graduate admitted after the final whistle. “Bully’s whipped a few brilliant balls in and that free kick was one.

“I didn’t have to do much to get on the end of it. I think I was offside, I didn’t say anything then but I can now, it’s a good feeling, and he just put it on a plate for me. I was happy to get that after a few of the challenges they’d put in. I’m fine though – it’s all part and parcel of playing in midfield, we were playing all the footy and they were kicking us.”

Paul Turnbull (Image: Mike Petch)

Also benefiting from having top professionals like Turnbull - whose terrific performance saw him named in the division's team of the day - and Danny Whitaker alongside him is a major boost for Lewis, who’s winning over the Moss Rose crowds with his energetic performances.

He’s not prolific in the goals column – his only other league goal was a last-gasp winner at Forest Green in his breakthrough 2013/14 season.

And although Lewis is looking to add a more attacking element to his arsenal he realises the importance of his role as protector of a back four that’s excelled with just four goals shipped so far.

“The back four are looking strong,” he added. “Luke (Waterfall) and George (Pilkington) have got a good partnership going and Taylor came up with some good saves against Eastleigh, that’s four clean sheets and they’re important.

“At the start of the season I probably was a bit deep, I was helping them out at the back but I don’t think I was doing my job but today I pushed up a little bit.

“We’ve got to stick together and keep working as a team. Obviously having Whits out injured is a big miss, because of what he brings to the team but hopefully he’ll be back with us soon.

“He plays further on and I’m a bit more defensive than him so when he is back I hope I can play alongside him, and he doesn’t come back in instead of me.”

Not that that’s apparent in manager John Askey’s thoughts.

‘Sir John’ is the man who oversaw his development in the youth system and, although he knew what Lewis had to offer, he’s been impressed by his contributions - often unnoticed by many observers but certainly appreciated by his team mates - this term.

“Paul’s done well all season, he’s only 19 and doing really well, he gives us a lot of energy and wins the ball back for us a lot,” said the Macc manager. “For him to do that and score as well is fantastic, I’m sure there’s going to be clubs sniffing round him.”

And as for his growing stock on the terraces, the Scouser admits that the backing from the Macc fans can be invaluable.

“You do hear the crowd when there’s nothing going on but when the game’s on I don’t really hear it, it’s a nice feeling when they’re backing us up, definitely.

“We’ll need more of it too, we’re going to Chester which will be difficult. No game’s easy in this league though, I think we can go there and get a result. And it should be a good game at Halifax, we know a few of their lads so that’s one we’ll look forward to.”